International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center

International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center
Centro Internacional de Mejoramiento de Maíz y Trigo
(CIMMYT)
Formation1943,[1] 1966 and officially established in 1971
TypeNon-profit research-for-development organization[1]
PurposeTo develop improved varieties and sustainable farming methods of wheat and maize for improving livelihoods of the world's poor[1]
HeadquartersEl Batán, near Texcoco, State of Mexico, Mexico
Director General
Bram Govaerts
AffiliationsCGIAR
Staff1,600 staff members working throughout Africa, Asia and Latin America, and projects in over 40 countries[1]
Websitewww.cimmyt.org

The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (known – even in English – by its Spanish acronym CIMMYT for Centro Internacional de Mejoramiento de Maíz y Trigo) is a non-profit research-for-development organization that develops improved varieties of wheat and maize with the aim of contributing to food security, and innovates agricultural practices to help boost production, prevent crop disease and improve smallholder farmers' livelihoods.[1][2][3][4] CIMMYT is one of the 15 CGIAR centers.[5] CIMMYT is known for hosting the world's largest maize and wheat genebank at its headquarters in Mexico.[6]

CIMMYT's ninth director general, Bram Govaerts,[7] replaced Martin Kropff in 2021.[8] Other notable scientists like Thomas Lumpkin have served as director general of CIMMYT.[9][10]

  1. ^ a b c d e "About us". CIMMYT. Retrieved 27 April 2020.
  2. ^ "Norman Borlaug - Nobel Lecture: The Green Revolution, Peace, and Humanity".
  3. ^ "Bread Wheat - Improvement and Production".
  4. ^ "FAO - News Article: FAO and partners ramp up efforts to track and prevent spread of damaging wheat rusts". Archived from the original on 22 May 2019. Retrieved 4 March 2017.
  5. ^ "Research Centers". CGIAR. Archived from the original on 12 May 2010. Retrieved 13 May 2010.
  6. ^ Estevez, Dolia. "Bill Gates And Carlos Slim To Partner On Reducing Hunger". Forbes. Retrieved 31 July 2020.
  7. ^ "Director General CIMMYT". cimmyt.org. Retrieved 4 March 2017.
  8. ^ "Martin Kropff / CGIAR / About Us / Our Governance / Center Directors General". Cgiar.org. Retrieved 4 March 2017.
  9. ^ "Dr. Thomas Lumpkin Receives the 2014 Outstanding Alumnus Award from the University of Hawaii". Wsm.wsu.edu. Retrieved 4 March 2017.
  10. ^ "Thomas Lumpkin of AVRDC new CIMMYT DG | CIMMYT. International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center". Cimmyt.org. Archived from the original on 2 March 2017. Retrieved 4 March 2017.